Therapies in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek areas

[ramschetna]

Hi, hope everyone is doing well. I wanted to know what kind of therapy support is available in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek areas for behaviour and occupational therapies. Can anyone share their experience with schools in these areas as well. Does school need his assessment report before he qualifies for IEP. What are the chances that school may deny his IEP or try to put him in 504 plan instead. What do I do to ensure school considers him for IEP? Will there be long waiting list for this? I just hope I am choosing the right areas but let me know if there are other better areas than what I am considering. Are school opened in these areas or is it online classes for this academic year?

Any help or support on this will be of great help. Thank you in advance.

[Onthemove1971]

Welcome to the group. While I do not have experience with resources in these areas ( they are very different), I can make a few recommendations. 1st.. can you connect with families that live in these areas? Maybe Facebook or other social media sites.

This might help your determine which area is better for your childs needs.

As far are moving and IEP, most school districts ( other than Los Angeles) us an online Iep program, which makes everything so much easier for us Specialist. Any time a child moves into another school district there is a 30 initial period of time, in which the current IEP is followed, but we make determinations of if the services are needed and if so what needs to be changed. In order for there to be major changes ( this includes changing service to a 504 plan) a psychologist would needs to do some assessments and determine they are not needed. You would have to sign off on these assessments.

It is very helpful to have a copy of the IEP when you go to register, since determinations need to be make about what type of setting is best for your child. Then where those services are located.

Hope this advice helps. Good luck on your move and getting everything set up.

[ramschetna in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thanks for details and insight you provided. I am planning to relocate to US from another country and not within US. I have been looking for information on these areas in order to determine if I am making the right move. It’s a big decision for us to move. I have two wonderful kids so I want to ensure I take the right step so kids do not suffer. My son is a case of partial epilepsy with ADHD. Are you aware if this kind of cases are clear case for IEP or still need to go through assessment? If assessment is required then is this done by which doctors (like paediatrician or neurologist or psychologist). Is there a long waiting list to get the assessment and also how do they perform such assessment. Area in which I am going to live is of importance as I want to ensure I have good medical facilities around. Any further insight you can offer on above. Thanks

[Onthemove1971 in reply to ramschetna]

Yes! This is a very challanging endeavor. Both areas have very good access to medical care. Please look at the medium income in both areas. From what I remember, most families that live in Walnut creek have a higher income. Pleasanton is more middle income. Due to your child's partial epilepsy, school nurses will need to be involved and all medications have strick guidelines which are determined by a medical doctor ( usually Pediatric Neurologist). As far as the ADHD, the Neurologist can also assist with this, but if your child takes or needs medication he will most likely need a pediatric psychiatrist to help with this. I recommend setting all of that up before they start in school. Were you thinking of coming in early summer? Then getting things ready.

In California most children attend the closest school to their house, or their "home" school.

Please also get letters to give to the school that helps them better understand the needs of your child.

As far as assessment, for the medical nothing would be needed if you have documentation. As far as the ADHD is concerned, you/school wants your son in the " least restrictive" setting. So if possible with peers that do not have any issues with support.

Please at guideline/timelines for IEP's and 504. It is all mandated by federal law.

I hope this helps, send me a message privately if I can help answer any more questions.